Who is this season's NBA Most Valuable Player? The conventional wisdom says it's Derrick Rose, who led the Bulls to their best season in more than a decade, but if D-Rose is the obvious choice, then how did LeBron James win Player of the Month in half of the season's six months? And what about Dwight Howard, who led his team to a 52-win season with a significantly less talented supporting cast?
For your consideration, we have the highlight plays, as well as the key stats, of what we think are the three most deserving candidates for the Maurice Podoloff Trophy. Since we're not a part of the panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, we don't really have a say, but we have a voice. So make your voice heard and tell you us who you think is the 2010-11 NBA MVP.
Who is this season's NBA Most Valuable Player? The conventional wisdom says it's Derrick Rose, who led the Bulls to their best season in more than a decade, but if D-Rose is the obvious choice, then how did LeBron James win Player of the Month in half of the season's six months? And what about Dwight Howard, who led his team to a 52-win season with a significantly less talented supporting cast?
For your consideration, we have the highlight plays, as well as the key stats, of what we think are the three most deserving candidates for the Maurice Podoloff Trophy. Since we're not a part of the panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, we don't really have a say, but we have a voice. So make your voice heard and tell you us who you think is the 2010-11 NBA MVP.
LeBron James, Miami Heat
Ever since he announced his decision to leave Cleveland in favor of South Beach, LeBron James propelled himself from everyone's favorite hometown hero to enemy number one. In an effort to greatly improve his chances of winning a championship, James indirectly helped create the Big Three 2.0 with proven veterans, Wade and Bosh. In his first year with the Miami Heat, LBJ put up numbers (26.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 7.0 APG) similar to his season averages in a Cavaliers jersey. If there was anything LeBron proved in his first go-round with Miami, it's that regardless of the team, dude will continue to fill up the stat sheet and make a solid case for MVP honors.
Flushing It Down on Two Cavs Players
DATE: 1/31/2011 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
COMPLEX SAYS: From the back-and-forth cryptic tweets to Dan Gilbert's Comic Sans tirade to the Cleveland fans' ingenous signs, the tension between LeBron and Cleveland always made for must see TV. Let's just say that between the season standings and this dunk, James put an end to all that talk.
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
Winning Defensive Player of the Year for the third year in a row is a real dope accomplishment, but you know what would make this season even more special for Dwight Howard, besides winning a championship? Being named Most Valuable Player for the 2010-2011 season. And why not? He has already proven to the league how important he is on the defensive side of the court. Even though Howard did not lead the NBA in either points or rebounds per game, 22.7 PPG and 14.1 RPG aren't bad at all. With Defensive Player of the Year already locked up, there may be an MVP award on the horizon for Superman.
Jumping Jrue Holiday from Behind
DATE: 4/11/2011 vs. Philadelphia 76ers
COMPLEX SAYS: After this nasty alley-oop, no one had Jrue's back. Not even his fans, especially lil' homie. And not even his own teammate in the suit on the bench. Don't worry dude, we understand.
Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Finally, we have Derrick Rose. The main reason why the Chicago Bulls are back on the map. With only three seasons under his belt, D-Rose continues to get better with each season. This year, his numbers hit a career-high with 25 points per game, 7.7 assists per game, and 4.1 rebounds per game. Some will say that the numbers don't pop out at anyone, but when did the award name change to Most Statistical Player? After winning Rookie of the Year in the 2008-2009 season, and racking up All-Star game selections the last two years, Rose's meteoric rise seems destined for an MVP award. Maybe this year is the year.
Clutch Game-Tying Three
DATE: 12/4/2010 vs. Houston Rockets
COMPLEX SAYS: Plain and simple, some people have that "clutch gene," and some people don't. With this game-tying three by Rose, homie's definitely got it.
Who is the 2010-11 NBA MVP?Market Research